Wingspan, Spring 2022
AACC is celebrating 60 years! Sure, we’re recognizing big milestones from when we were chartered in 1961 to now: buildings, presidents, championships, alumni in the news and national accomplishments. But we also wanted to share some of the quieter, impressive moments that make us who we are today.
So, here’s to those who are unsung — the ones doing extraordinary things that didn’t make the news, but made us pause, laugh or even feel inspired. Thanks for all the memories, and here’s to 60 more years and beyond of making Anne Arundel County a better place to learn, grow, live and be.
–Bill Sanders, general studies 1975-1977
Sanders started at AACC after high school and initially was academically dismissed for poor study habits. He later returned with new study habits, made the Dean’s list, graduated and transferred to University of Maryland for a degree in computer science.
–Julie Irons, 1977-2011
A mother of four, Irons dropped out of Juniata College in 1976 after having her daughter. She took classes on and off for a few decades until graduating from AACC. Currently a manager of accreditation with Radsite, the lifelong learner plans to acquire a bachelor’s degree.
–Lisa Clark, general studies, 1987-1989
Clark has spent more than 20 years working in television as a production coordinator. She credits AACC for giving her exposure to the media field. After working in media services during her time at AACC, she realized it was a field where she could excel.
–Debbie Bartlett multimedia technology and premed 1977-1981
Originally discouraged by her family from attending college, Bartlett graduated from AACC, continued her education, and now is as the academic chair for Biology. She has taught at AACC since 2000.
–Ryan Kim, 2019-2021
Kim is one of the thousands of students thrown into a new learning environment at AACC when the COVID pandemic hit in 2020. He adapted and now the ‘21 AACC graduate is studying at University of Maryland, College Park.
–Paula Rubin Swann, 1991-2001
Rubin Swann had a Bachelor of Arts degree but enrolled in AACC’s computer science transfer program to follow her passion. After a transfer to UMBC and graduating, she began working as a computer scientist for the U.S. Department of Defense.
–Nagela DeVito, 2017-2019
Originally an au pair from Brazil who came to Maryland on a work visa with a bachelor’s degree in food engineering, DeVito attended AACC as an international student studying business and marketing. She graduated in 2019 and leveraged her two degrees into a career path that led her to her current position as innovation and quality engineer with Bar Harbor Foods.
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“During a bad snowstorm in the ‘80s, I spent four days snowed in at the college with the rest of the security guards. No one could get out or in.”
–Bernard Lory
“I remember when I had to handwrite each payroll check for everyone working at Anne Arundel Community College. After the first year I was employed, we went on computer.
–Virginia Chapin Brit
“A student at AACC has always been a person — not a number. Even with the growth, Anne Arundel is still special, a mixture of hospitality, common sense, good courses, small classes, dedicated faculty and staff and always a dash of spirited students.”
–Jan Pumphrey, office manager, 1964-2002
